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CONTACT: |
Caroline Bean |
GPTMC |
(215) 599-7433 |
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR FOR HOLIDAY
CHEER IN PHILLY
Seasonal Festivals, Exhibits and
Events Abound In The Greater Philadelphia Region
PHILADELPHIA, August 30, 2004 – The planning for a festive holiday season is already underway across the Greater Philadelphia region. Area attractions are hauling out their twinkling lights; dance and music groups are rehearsing their special shows; and the city’s famed Mummers are preparing to celebrate the New Year in their own unique style. Here’s a sampling of what else is going on this holiday season:
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Wednesday to December 15, 2004 |
TROLLEY TOUR OF FAIRMOUNT PARK HOUSES (215) 763-8100. The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers 90-minute guided tours the Fairmount Park houses, some of which will be decorated for the holidays. Tours provide a glimpse into the history of Colonial Philadelphia with an informative narrative about the Park. www.philamuseum.org |
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November 10- December 31, 2004 |
PEARL S. BUCK
HOUSE & HISTORIC SITE
(215) 249-0100 Decorated for the holidays, each room of this 1835 stone
farmhouse tells the fascinating story of Buck’s life as an author and
humanitarian. |
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November 19, 2004 |
GRAND ILLUMINATION (215) 794-4000. At dusk, Peddler’s Village’s holiday lights display debuts with free cider and toasted marshmallows. Santa arrives to help turn on the lights and to kick-off weekend visits with the children through December. www.peddlersvillage.com |
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November 19, 2004-January 6, 2005 |
GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION & DISPLAY (215) 794-4000. At Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, dozens of gingerbread creations are displayed throughout the holiday season in the Village Gazebo. www.peddlersvillage.com |
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November 25- December 23, 2004 |
HOLIDAYS ON THE HILL (215) 247-6696. With carolers, brass ensembles, Santa, decorated streets and extended store hours, Chestnut Hill is the place for holiday shopping. www.chestnuthillpa.com |
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November 25, 2004- January 2, 2005 |
A LONGWOOD GARDENS CHRISTMAS (610) 388-1000. The spirit of the season comes alive at Longwood Gardens with thousands of poinsettias, towering trees, fragrant flowers, dancing fountains and 420,000 lights. Daily concerts herald the season as well. www.longwoodgardens.com |
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November 26, 2004 |
FAMILY FUN DAY (215) 625-4962. Santa, Mrs. Claus and other holiday characters ride on the specially decorated Santa Express from stations throughout the region to a festive parade at The Gallery at Market East to kick-off the holiday shopping season. www.galleryatmarketeast.com |
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November 26- December 31, 2004 |
ENCHANTED COLONIAL VILLAGE (215) 963-0667. Please Touch Museum presents scenes from Lit Brother’s Enchanted Colonial Village. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org |
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November 26, 2004- January 1, 2005 |
LIGHT SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR (215) 241-9000. The Light Show in Lord & Taylor is a 50-year tradition, in which snowflakes dance; ballerinas, reindeers and clocks float on and off the display; and a massive American flag is raised to the tune of God Bless America. Shows are daily, on the hour. (Closed Christmas Day.) www.wanamakerorgan.com |
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November 27- December 19, 2004 |
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT THE BETSY ROSS HOUSE (215) 686-1254. Every weekend, Betsy Ross will celebrate the holidays Colonial-style, with a Colonial crafter at work and the sounds of traditional holiday music played on the hammer dulcimer. www.betsyrosshouse.org |
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November 27- December 25, 2004 |
THE HOLIDAY AT THE RITZ (215) 523-8000. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Philadelphia hosts make-your-own-gingerbread-house sessions on Saturdays and children’s teas on Sundays this holiday season. Mr. Claus is on duty on weekends in the Rotunda’s life-sized Gingerbread House, while a hot chocolate sommelier offers fancy cocoas with an array of toppings Wednesdays and Saturdays. www.ritzcarlton.com |
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November 30- December 18, 2004 |
SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE FANTOCCINI (215) 925-7686. Mum Puppettheatre’s popular Fantoccini series, where puppets are the stars, has returned for the holidays. This season, short variety acts run the gamut of imagination and emotions, from touching to funny. www.mumpuppet.org |
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December 2005 |
PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY FESTIVAL (215) 965-7676. Old-fashioned traditions, live performances, tree lightings and endless shopping ring in the holiday celebrations throughout the region. www.gophila.com |
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December 1-2 & |
HOLIDAY POPS! (215) 893-1999. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts is filled with the sounds of the season as Peter Nero and the Philly Pops perform their annual holiday concert. www.phillypops.com |
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December 4-5, 2004 |
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL (215) 794-4000. Peddler’s Village in Lahaska is decorated Victorian-style with fruit wreaths and greenery for the annual holiday celebration. Seasonal favorites include hot mulled cider, toasted marshmallows and roasted chestnuts, as well as Santa’s weekend visits with children through December. www.peddlersvillage.com |
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December 9-11, & 14-16, 2004 |
THE GLORIOUS SOUND OF CHRISTMAS (215) 893-1999. This year, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s holiday concerts feature performances by American Boychoir and Singing City at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. www.philorch.org |
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December 9-10, 2004 |
HOLLY NIGHTS (215) 946-0400. Pennsbury Manor, William Penn’s recreated plantation, is radiant with candles, torches, caroling, luminaries and warm mulled cider. Guided candlelight tours of the Manor House are also available. www.pennsburymanor.org |
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December 10 & 18, 2004 |
THE NUTCRACKER (215) 320-2600. Dancers at Settlement Music School perform excerpts of this classic holiday ballet. www.smsmusic.org |
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December 11, 2004
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VIENNA CHOIR BOYS (215) 893-1999. Age 10 to 14, these young men captivate concertgoers every year with their haunting voices and astonishing musicianship, now at The Kimmel Center. www.kimmelcenter.org |
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December 11, 2004-January 2, 2005 |
THE NUTCRACKER (215) 551-7000. No holiday is complete without a visit from the Sugarplum Fairy and the Mouse King during the Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of this George Balanchine classic, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music. www.paballet.org |
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December 12-13, 2004 |
HANDEL’S MESSIAH (215) 893-1999. Conductor Nicholas McGegan returns to The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts to lead the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale in this vibrant Orchestra tradition, now in its 44th year. www.philorch.org |
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December 17-18, 2004 |
CHRISTMAS ON LOGAN SQUARE (215) 751-9494. The Philadelphia Singers’ beloved concert, which has “An American Christmas” theme this season, has been a cherished holiday tradition for more than a quarter-century. Philadelphia’s historic St. Clement’s Church serves as a mystical backdrop. www.philadelphiasingers.org |
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December 18, 2004
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KWANZAA CELEBRATION (215) 574-0380. The African American Museum in Philadelphia showcases the ways African Americans and world cultures experience the holiday season. Lively performances, storytelling and refreshments entertain the family. www.aampmuseum.org |
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December 18-19, 2004 |
SKATE WITH SANTA (215) 925-RINK. Visitors to the Blue Cross RiverRink will enjoy the ever-popular Skate with Santa after he arrives by helicopter. Holiday ice sculptures, arts and crafts, face painting and “Santa and Me” caricatures will also be part of the festivities. www.riverrink.com |
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December 18-19, 2004 |
HOLIDAY BRASS (215) 893-1999. Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s brass section welcome the Canadian Brass for a fun filled program of classics at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. www.philorch.org |
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December 25, 2004 |
REENACTMENT OF WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE (215) 493-4076. The 52nd annual reenactment of General George Washington leading his troops to victoriously change the course of the American Revolution on Christmas Day in 1776 takes place at Washington Crossing Historic Park. |
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December 25-26, 2004 |
CHRISTMAS DINNER (215) 413-1443. City Tavern features a five- course Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a menu representative of traditional 18th-century recipes. www.citytavern.com |
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December 26, 2004
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BEING JEWISH AT CHRISTMAS (215) 923-3811. The annual celebration at the National Museum of American Jewish History features music, children’s activities, refreshments and tours. www.nmajh.org |
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December 31, 2004
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NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN CELEBRATION (215) 963-0667. Since most of the Please Touch Museum’s young visitors can't stay up until midnight, the museum counts down to the new year at 12....noon with Mummers, confetti and more. www.pleasetouchmuseum.org |
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December 31, 2004
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NEW YEAR’S EVE ON ICE PARTY (215) 925-RINK. Six two-hour skating sessions are available on New Year’s Eve at the Blue Cross RiverRink, beginning at 10 a.m. and ending with a special party on ice. It’s a non-alcoholic alternative to New Year’s Eve featuring food, entertainment, ice skating and a great view of the fireworks. www.riverrink.com |
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December 31, 2004 |
NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT (215) 893-1999. From vintage Broadway to Gershwin favorites, the Philadelphia Orchestra rings in 2005 with a program of American classics at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. www.philorch.org |
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January 1, 2005 |
THE MUMMERS PARADE (215) 683-3622. Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching down Broad Street in a festive day-long parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. www.mummers.org |
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January 1- April 15, 2005 |
CHINESE NEW YEAR BANQUET (215) 928-9333. Chef Joe Poon of Joseph Poon Asian Fusion Restaurant will once again offer a special banquet to celebrate the Year of the Rooster. The meal includes ingredients designed to bring diners double happiness. www.josephpoon.com |
The Greater Philadelphia
Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC), Philadelphia's regional tourism
marketing agency, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building
the region's economy and positive image through tourism and destination
marketing. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, call the new
Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park,
at (800) 537-7676, or visit
www.gophila.com.
For information about
arts and cultural attractions in the region, click on the CultureFiles link.
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Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of
gophila.com/pressroom.
